Jockey Sam Ewing had his second Grade One win of the Christmas Festival on day two at Leopardstown.
Having triumphed on Croke Park in a thrilling Racing Post Long Distance Novice Chase on Thursday, the county Antrim man led the 7-4 favourite Romeo Coolio to victory in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on Friday afternoon.
The Gordon Elliott-trained horse led by nine lengths in foggy conditions from stablemate Bleu De Vassy with Eastern Legend in third.
“Ended up having to do it the hard way up front but he was very good everywhere,” said Ewing of Romeo Coolio on RTE.
“He’s a fine, big, strong travelling horse. Once he’s out and going he’s straightforward enough.”
In the first Grade One race of the day, 28-1 outsider Solness led from pillar to post to claim victory in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase.
Under JJ Slevin, the Joseph O’Brien-trained horse won by three and three-quarter lengths from 13-8 favourite Gaelic Warrior with Marine Nationale in third.
